The White Countess (2005): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The White Countess is a 2005 historical drama directed by James Ivory, starring Vanessa Redgrave, Ralph Fiennes and Natasha Richardson. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $4.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 60 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 15m (135 min)
- Director
- James Ivory
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The White Countess About?
The premise of The White Countess without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1936 Shanghai, a city teetering on the brink of war, a Russian countess struggling to support her family finds unexpected connection with a disillusioned, blind diplomat. Their lives intersect at "The White Countess," a sophisticated nightclub offering a temporary escape from the escalating tensions and personal tragedies that surround them. Both are seeking solace and a sense of purpose in a world shadowed by conflict and loss.
The White Countess Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- jazz
- shanghai china
- trumpeter
- clarinetist
- hong kong china
- horseback riding
- army
- dancehall
- sailor
- soldier
- year 1937
- shanghai
+38 more Show fewer
- 1930s
- l. redgrave and v. redgrave
- r. fiennes and v. redgrave
- american
- young
- countess
- diplomat
- russian
- japanese
- refugee
- love
- friendship
- dancing
- bar girl
- taxi dancer
- invasion
- hostess
- bar
- f rated
- writer
- widow
- wealth
- waiter
- violinist
- violence
- umbrella
- u.s. state department
- tuxedo
- truck
- troop truck
- tram
- train
- torture
- textile trade
- su chow china
- student
- streetcar
- street market
The White Countess Cast
Vanessa Redgrave leads the cast, with Ralph Fiennes and Natasha Richardson. Directed by James Ivory.
-
Director James Ivory
More from James Ivory
More films directed by James Ivory, best-rated first: The Remains of the Day, A Room with a View, Howards End and Maurice.
The White Countess Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The White Countess 60 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 60 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB
The White Countess Plot Summary
What happens in The White Countess from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Having fled the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Countess Sofia Belinskaya finds herself in a dire situation as a taxi dancer and prostitute in a rundown Shanghai bar during 1936. Sofia bears the burden of supporting her family, which consists of aristocratic White Russian émigrés: her daughter Katya, her mother-in-law Olga, her sister-in-law Grushenka, and her aunt and uncle by marriage, Princess Vera and Prince Peter. Unfortunately, her family looks down on her profession, treating her as an unclean woman, save for Katya, who unflinchingly stands up for her mother.
Full summary
The whole story of The White Countess, scene by scene
The White Countess Box Office
The White Countess grossed $4.1 million worldwide. $1.7 million came from the US and Canada and $2.4 million (59%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$4.1M
- US & Canada
- $1.7M
- International
- $2.4M
The White Countess Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The White Countess.
How Well Do You Know The White Countess?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the profession of Countess Sofia Belinskaya in the film?
Cars in The White Countess
10 cars on screen, including the 1942 Plymouth De Luxe and the Ural M-72.
-
1942 Plymouth De Luxe Important role -
Ural M-72 Important role -
1946 Dodge Custom Minor role -
Chang Jiang CJ 750 Background role
The White Countess Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “bila hrabenka” and “La condesa rusa”.
- Also known as
-
- bila hrabenka
- La condesa rusa
- Белая графиня
- Η Κοντέσσα της Σαγκάης
- La contessa bianca
- Den ryska grevinnan
- Bílá hraběnka
- A fehér grófnő
- La Comtesse blanche
- הרוזנת הלבנה
- La comtessa russa
- Бялата графиня
+8 more Show fewer
- 伯爵夫人
- Večer u Bielej grófky
- 화이트 카운티스
- A Condessa Branca
- 上海の伯爵夫人
- Біла графиня
- Biała hrabina
- 異國情緣
Seen The White Countess?
Movies Like The White Countess
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including White Woman, Shanghai Surprise and The Painted Veil.
The White Countess FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The White Countess, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The White Countess?
The White Countess runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).
When was The White Countess released?
The White Countess was released on December 21, 2005.
Who directed The White Countess?
The White Countess was directed by James Ivory.
More films by James Ivory Who is in the cast of The White Countess?
The White Countess stars Vanessa Redgrave, Ralph Fiennes and Natasha Richardson.
How much did The White Countess make at the box office?
The White Countess grossed $4.1 million worldwide ($1.7 million domestic, $2.4 million international).
How is The White Countess rated?
The White Countess has 60 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.
Does The White Countess have a post-credit scene?
No. The White Countess has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
